About
鸺 (xiū) is a phono-semantic compound character, with the traditional form 鵂. Its semantic component is 鸟 (the simplified form of 鳥), which classifies it as a bird. The phonetic component is 休 (xiū), indicating its pronunciation. This character is a specialized zoological term used almost exclusively to denote certain owls. It rarely stands alone in texts but forms the compound noun "鸺鹠" (xiūliú), the Chinese name for the Glaucidium genus of owls, commonly known as pygmy owls or owlets.
Etymology Hide
